Puzzle



Sept. 4, 1928. 1,683,014

F. L. BABCOC K PUZZLE Filed Oct. 8, 1927 n 5 I H2 T 8 7 I3 2 a 7 i I 9 INVENTOR. 1+ 4 m fi 1.565006%! A TTORNE Y.

Patented Sept. 4, 1928.

UNITED STATES eeann FAY L. BABCOCK, or sr. rnpnnsnune, FLORIDA. Y

PUZZLE.

Application filed October 8, 1927. Serial No. 224,939.

This invention is directed to a puzzle of that type involving a container or box in which are arranged a plurality of relatively flat elements of different sizes, with the ele ments interfitting to occupy the entire surface within the box except for a space so arranged that selective movement of the ele ments may be permitted in order that a particular element may be moved from one particular position in the container or box to another selected position.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of certain of the elements in rightangled form to thereby materially increase the difliculty of tree movement of the elements with relation to each other to increase the difficulty of a solution of the puzzle.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing the box or casing with the contained elements, the elements being arranged in one predetermined position.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one otthe right angled elements by the use of which the solution of the puzzle is rendered more difficult. v 1

Figures 3 and 4 represents dianrammatically an arrangement of the elements in one position at the start of the puzzle and the arrangement of the elements in the final position at the solution of the puzzle. y

Figures 5 and 6 are similar views indicating a diitlerent position ot the elements at the start oi? the puzzle and a relatively ferent position of the elements at the solution of the puzzle. p v

The puzzle comprises a series ofelements having a distinct relation to each other and adapted to be arranged in. a comparatively shallow box-like casing. 1 which may, of course, for the purposes of transportation and housing the puzzle when not in use, be provided with a cover.

A series of relatively movable elements are arranged in the casing, these elements having a distinct relation to the smallest or unit element. with. suehelements capable, under proper manipulation, to he so moved that the master element can be moved from one predetermined position to another predetermined position. 7

The elements comprise a series of unitary elements indicated at a which are, inthe' form shown, square in plan and of a surface dimension determined of course by the size of the casing 1. In addition to the elements "a, there are provided rectangular elements I), three'in'nummer, and havingone surface dimension, that'is the shortest, equal to one surface dimension of the unit element a, the remaining or longitudinal surface dimension of the element 7) being twice that-of the surface dimension of the element a. That is to say, while the unit elements a are square,"

the elements 7) are double the square dimension of the units a, equaling the units a in width but being twice the length of the latter.

A master element 0 is provided which is the key element, that is, the element which is to be moved "from one predetermined position to another in- Order to solve-the puzzle. This master element 0 is square in plan, having a surface'climension twice that of the unit element a. That is to say, the master element i c has a surface area which is four times the surface area of theunit element a.

Coupled with the elements described are what will be termed interlocking; elements d.

These elements (Z are of right angled formation and bear a distinct; relation in their dimensions to the size of the unit element a- For example, the elements (Z being of right angled form in plan, have their dimension lengthwise either leg equal to twice the surface dimension of the unit element a, so that each leg of the element (Z projects beyond the other leg; to an extent equal to the surface dimension of the element (1. Therefore,

elements CZ have asurii'ace area which is three of the elements while maintaining their slidinn cooperation with the box or casing, it is of course necessary to provide a spacewithin the interior of the box which isnormally vacant, that is, not occupied by an unit or block. This space,;indicated at e, is shown,

when the units and elements are arranged in the ordershown in F lgure 1, as appearing at the lower right hand corner" of the casing 1 and having a rectangular shape in plan 1 with a major dimensionytwice .the surface dlmension of the element a and a minor d1- mension equal to the surface dimensionof that element.

Itis to be particularly noted that in the provision of four of the interlocking ele I ments d,suchelementsinterfit one. with the "other, thus pr'eventing direct line movement ofthese elements inone direction relative to v the other and materially increasing the difliculty ofaproviding for the particular elements in the "solution of the puzzle.

P The various elements makingiup the movable parts of the puzzle may be arranged ini- 11 tially indiflerentpositions, such for example askillustratedrespectively inFigures 3 and though the puzzle is capable of otherinitial positions and other solutions than thosespecifically referred a to herein. Certain movesofthe respective elements are necessary asa result of each of these positions until finally, when the puzzle is solved,the various elements arearranged in the positions shown'in Figures 14 and 6 respectively. In

order that the movement ofthe parts may be asindicated in Figuree, the various moves "of the elements inthe order in which said moves are made is as follows: 10,110 right, 9

to-right, 4 .to right, 3 down, 2 down,17 to left, 8 up and toleft, 13 to left, l4=yto left, 10 up, 9.to rightandup, 4- to right, 3 to right, 2 down, 7 down, 8 down, 1 down. 5 to left, 6 up and to left, 11 to left, 12 to left, 10 up, 9 11p, 14 to right,i13 to right, 8; to right and up, 7 to right,,2 up,3 to left, 4 to left, 14 down, 13 to right, 7 to rightand up, 2 to right, 1 down,

6 downand to left, 11 to left, 12 to left, 9 to I left and up, 13 up, 14 up; 4 to right, 2 down,

8 down and to right, 1 to right. 6 .down, 5 down, 11 to left, 12-to left, 9-to left and down, 10 to left, 13 up, 14 up, 8 toright,7

down and to right, 9 down, 10 down. 13 to lefty-14 up, 10 toright, 9] up and-to right, 1 toright, 6 to right and up, 3 up, 2to left, 4 to left, 7 down and to right, 9down, 1 to right, 6 to rightand down, am right, 3 up, 2"up, 4; to left, 9 to left, 1 down. 10 toleft,i8 up and to'left, 7up, and 1 to right. i I

i ;With,the elements originally arranged as shown in Figure 5, the moves necessary to I solve the puzzle and finally dispose the master element and remaining elements in the position shown inFigurefi areas follows: 9 to rightand down, 3 to right, 2 down, 8 to left, 7 to left, 3 up, 10 up and to right,

2' to right, 4 to right, 14 to right, 13 down, 8

to left, 7 to left, 3 toleft, 6 down andto left,

5 down, 12 to right, 11 to right, 1 to right, 8 up, 7 to left and up, 13 up, 14 to left, 2 to left, to left, 6 down, 5 to left and down, 12 down,

1 to right, 1 to right, 7 to right and up, 13 up, 1 1 up, 4 toleft, 2 down, 3downyl down, 7 to down, 7 downandto left, lltoleft, 12 up, 5 up and to right, 1 to right, 7 down, 8 down, 11 to left, 12 to left, 5 up, 10 up,1toright,7 to right and up, 2 11p, 6 toxleft, 9110 left, and 1dOWIl. g" w It is of course to be understood that the illustration and description herein given are merely treating the elements as blocks which maybe constructed ofwood or any material,

but it is to be understood that the puzzle in itself contemplates ornamentation of the various elementsinorder to add to the pleasure in solving the puzzle. For example, the element 0 may be indicated as an aeroplane, steamship, railway train, automobile, or the like, and the various other elements indicated ashazards in the path of travelof the vehicle or master e1ement,vor if desired the elements maybe merely picturesque, representations of various 7 details of any contemplated 101113 ney or trip. i

What I claim to be new is:

1. i A puzzle comprising'an open casing'and a series of elements arranged therein in contact-and in number to; provide an unoccupied'space in the casing, the elements comprisinga number of unitary elements of square surface form, a number of elements 1 ofrectangular form including a surface area twice that of the unitelemen ts, a number of elements of right angled form having a surface'area three times that of the unitelements, and a master element having a surface area four times that of the unit elements. 2. A puzzle comprising an open casing and a series of elements arranged therein for relative sliding movement, the elements occupying the'interiorof the casing except for an area to provide a. vacant space to permit initial releative movement of the elements, the

elements including six unit elements of square surface area, three rectangular elements of double the surface area of the unit elements, a square master element having a surface area fourtimes that of theunit elements, and four elements of irregular shape having a surface area three times, that of the unitelementsi V i y 3. A puzzle comprising an open casing and a series of elements arranged therein for relative sliding movement, thefelements ocsurface area four times that of the unit elements, and four elements of L-shape having a surface area three times that of the unit elements.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FAY L. BABGOGK. a s1] 

